VA orders machines to help deaf, blind veterans communicate

Omaha, Neb. — The health care system for Nebraska and western Iowa veterans has ordered teletype machines so deaf or blind veterans can contact the Veterans Affairs Department.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that the VA’s Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System said last week that it’s ordered some of the machines. One will go in the lobby of the VA hospital in Omaha.

The VA for years has distributed teletype machines for free to help some deaf, hearing-impaired or blind veterans make text-based calls from their home telephone lines. But the VA hasn’t had machines of its own to answer if a veteran called for help.